Thanks for sharing this image. I got lost in those interesting pics, and noted that in 1939 slips were being planted rather than pieces. Even today, many people in the South grow slips in warm beds -- cold frames lined with straw, where the tubers can be placed on their sides for the last month before the last frost. I don't think there's much point in pushing the season because sweet potatoes won't grow until the soil is warm. We set out slips grown in buckets of sand on the deck in mid June. Here is a link that might be useful:

There used to be a discussion/ chat forum for us rose folks on the old site but now all those got mixed in with the rose talk. People asked about patterns and I like the ones by truly Victorian. All the sizes are included so you can get a custom fit. However they are drawn from real antique clothes so it's not a modern fit and most of them are designed to go over a corset but you don't need to wear it uncomfortably tight, just snug. If you had heavy work to do then you wore a corded petticoat not a hoop to hold your skirts out. Women didn't have legs in those days and they didn't discuss them :) they were just supposed to glide along gracefully like swans as they walked.

I am 6b because of my proximity to the Ohio River- there is a ribbon of 'warmth' along either side that extends for a couple of miles, and as the crow flies I am about a mile away. My bananas and Needle Palm and bamboos survive with protection (I use straw and burlap, even Christmas lights if necessary), so one would think I could keep a rose going. But I lived in Ft. Lauderdale in '85 and those temperatures scare me to death!! Loving all the suggestions. So far appearance wise I love the Blush Noisette most as it just looks so charmingly antique. I suppose if there is one variety that would be a lot more hardy than another I should choose the hardy one. But size is not really an issue as I don't particularly want huge plants and to be honest, if it died back each winter and came back all neat and compact it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I am thinking of putting three in my front yard, so don't necessarily want the extreme monsters I have in the back with my other roses. I have Iceberg climbers along a fence line and they can be difficult to "manage". I want to spare myself that in the front by first getting the shrub form, and second not ending up with something that knows no bounds.

This should be of help to you, tumblingtomatoes: http://www.westville.org/documents/Pre-1850Substitutes.pdf Another helpful website is Old House Gardens for the bulbs Here is some help with herbs. I make many of the herbal items found here: http://www.civilwarinteractive.com/Herbs.htm (not that I have a particular interest in civil war gardens, but I am interested in historic gardening of all types and eras). This is interesting too: http://www.slaveryinamerica.org/history/hs_es_cuisine.htm since so many people crave foods from their homelands or what they grew up with, it is natural that African Americans had some favorites I have gotten a lot of information from reading historical fiction. It seems to be a great source (the author has done all the work for me!) of information to research. I take it with a grain of salt, and use the information to seek out more concrete information for myself. At the same time I often have a great read! Happy Gardening, girlgroupgirl